English Language Arts
Websites
Check out these literacy websites for research or practice! (If any of the hyperlinks quit working, be sure to let me know.)
Check out these literacy websites for research or practice! (If any of the hyperlinks quit working, be sure to let me know.)
Videos
Watch these videos of great books!
Watch these videos of great books!
Reading Counts
The Scholastic Reading Counts program is designed to increase reading motivation and improve student comprehension. Students can choose books to read at individual Lexile levels which are determined by the Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) computer test that is taken at the beginning of the school year and the end of each quarter. The third grade Lexile range is 500-800. This is where most third graders should be reading by the end of the school year. Students with Lexiles outside this range are reading above or below grade level expectations. Students are encouraged to choose books within a Lexile range 100 points above or below their individual Lexiles. Therefore, a child who tests at a 552 Lexile should round to 550 and select books between 450 and 650. We have a large number of books with Reading Counts quizzes in the school library and our classroom libraries. Those books are marked with a special Reading Counts label which identifies the book's Lexile level and possible RC points to be earned by passing the computer quiz. After reading the book, a student should sign up to take the quiz on a classroom computer at a convenient time during the school day. These quizzes consist of 10 multiple-choice questions. Students must get 7 or more correct to pass the quiz and earn the full amount of points for that particular book. Point levels are pre-determined and based on the difficulty of the book by Scholastic. In addition to the books at school, you may choose books from the public library and check Oakland’s website for quiz availability.
Students are expected to earn 25+ points per quarter by taking and passing Reading Counts quizzes. Students can check their progress at any time by logging on to the Reading Counts system in our classroom or school library. Points earned are displayed on a class bulletin board. Rewards (certificate, pencil, bookmark, note pad, new book, etc.) are given for every 25 points earned. Scholastic Reading Inventory (SRI) and Reading Counts (RC) reports will be sent home every quarter with report cards.
Students are given opportunities to take quizzes on books that are read aloud to them as well as on stories from our reading text regardless of the Lexile level. Also, all poetry and graphic novels are available to students, regardless of the Lexile level assigned to the book. If a student wishes to read a book outside of his/her Lexile range and take a quiz, he/she should consult the classroom teacher. In many cases, it will be acceptable. However, most outside reading should be near a student’s individual Lexile level for maximum improvement of comprehension.
Oakland Library Reading Counts
To use this search tool, click on the link above. Your child will be prompted to enter his/her 5-digit username followed by @district87.org. Then your child will need to enter his/her assigned password to access the tool.
Lexile Analyzer Website
Poetry Presentation
Practicing reading aloud is a great way to build quality reading fluency. Reading fluently means the reader makes few to no mistakes, speaks at an appropriate rate/speed, and uses expression.
- Common Core Standard 3.ELA-Literacy.RF.3.4b – Reading Fluency
- Common Core Standard 3.ELA-Literacy.SL.3.4 – Speaking and Listening
Each third grader will choose a poem to read aloud. We will select them at school. Students also have the option of selecting a poem independently. However, it must be approved by the classroom teacher. Students will practice reading it to adults at home and then present at school.
Poetry Presentation Directions & Scoring Guide